LESSON 1 · 25 MIN
What Is a Robot?
Define robots vs machines and automation using real-world examples.
← RoboU Curriculum
ROBOU · FOUNDATIONS MODULE · NOT A DEGREE · NOT ACCREDITED
Robotics Foundations — Module 1: What Is a Robot?
A beginner-friendly introduction to what robots are, how they are built, and how they sense, decide, and act.
- SKILL LEVEL
- Total Beginner / STEM Curious
- EST. TIME
- 2.5h · 5 lessons
- ACCESS
- Free · No login
Module overview
This is EAR's first live RoboU module pack — structured lessons with exercises, quizzes, and EAR intelligence links. Work through lessons in order for the clearest path.
Module outcomes
- Explain what makes a robot a robot — sensing, deciding, and acting
- Identify sensors, actuators, controllers, power, and structure on a simple system
- Describe the sense-decide-act loop and why feedback matters
- Sketch a simple robotics system map for debugging and design
- Connect robotics basics to careers, companies, and next learning steps on EAR
Lessons
available
LESSON 2 · 30 MIN
The Main Parts of a Robot
Learn the building blocks: structure, power, sensors, actuators, controller, and software.
LESSON 3 · 30 MIN
Sensors, Actuators, and Controllers
Understand inputs, outputs, and the decision layer with concrete examples.
LESSON 4 · 30 MIN
How Robots Sense, Decide, and Act
Follow the sense-decide-act loop and see why robots fail when any step breaks.
LESSON 5 · 35 MIN
Your First Robotics System Map
Draw a system map to connect inputs, outputs, power, and environment for debugging.